After Hours

7 - back to what you used to like about me

The next time I saw Ruby when she came to work with Dylan, I didn't know how to act around her.

Dylan had invited her in, and I saw her as I sat on the couch reading a book. She smiled and said "hey" to me as they passed by, to which I smiled back before my eyes went back to my book. I felt bad, and it felt wrong, but I knew that if I did talk to her I'd only end up flirting, and doing that in front of Dylan would make everything feel worse.

Surprisingly, I was actually able to ignore Dylan and Ruby, and I got lost in my book. Every once in a while I felt as though she was looking at me, but I grew to ignore that feeling. Although I couldn't avoid Ruby forever, and I realized that once she got up to talk to me.

"Hey." She smiled warmly, leaning over the top of the couch.

I couldn't help it as my eyes flitted to Dylan, seeing him watching us, before I responded. "Hi. What's up?"" I tried to use the same tone of voice that I would to anyone, to not make a big deal out of us interacting, but of course overthinking caused it to come out as forced and awkward.

"I just wanted to say hi." She smiled again, any indicator that she sensed my uneasiness not present. "What're you reading?"

"Just this book about witches and Irish people." I responded, quickly flashing her the cover before resuming my position in the book. I was nearly finished with One Last Stop, but I had to bring myself to put it down. It just felt weird to read it in front of her while trying to subtly avoid her.

"Sounds fun." Ruby chuckled. "Have you finished One Last Stop yet?"

I shook my head. "Not yet..." I trailed off. I didn't have a legitimate excuse for not reading it, and I couldn't think of one on the spot. Hopefully she wouldn't question it.

"Cool." Ruby nodded. "Well let me know when you do."

"Definitely." I offered her a smile, which she returned, before going back to Dylan. I couldn't help my slight cringe while replaying our conversation once she was gone. Hopefully she wasn't overthinking it as much as I was.

After a while, I realized that the best way to avoid all the awkwardness was probably just to leave. It felt strange getting up and leaving while she was still there, and rude, almost. But she wasn't there for me, and I had to respect that.

I didn't hear Ruby leave, as I had my earbuds in for the remainder of her time at our house, but I did feel the door close once she left. I was able to look out my window just in time to see her car pull out of our driveway, and that was the last time I saw Ruby all week.

****

I got my brace off the next day, so for the rest of the week I was back at practice. It felt nice going back, and my restlessness was finally cured, but I missed Ruby. I didn't realize how much not seeing her would dampen my week.

Sitting at Olive Garden, I idly stirred my iced tea as my friends chatted.

"Carmel, don't look so glum!" Teo said, and slung an arm around my shoulder. "We know you're sad cause you haven't seen your first true love since getting your brace off, but we're here at Olive Garden, and the food is just mediocre, and we wanna have a good time!"

Harbor nodded as well. "If that's what's bothering you then you can go see her tomorrow and just enjoy tonight. But if there's other reasons then I'm totally open to beating people up."

Harbor saying that with their small-ish frame and not at all threatening face made me chuckle. I hadn't told them, or any of my friends, about how I'd been lowkey avoiding Ruby. It felt weird to talk about, but it had me acting weird anyway.

"Thanks guys, I know it's dumb." I chuckled sheepishly.

"It's not dumb." Bailey shook her head. "If I was in your position, I'd probably be feeling the same way." I saw her glance at Harbor before smiling to herself, and had to stop myself from 'aww'-ing at their adorable budding relationship. It wouldn't have been the first time that day, but it would've been about the 100th time that week, so I had to start calming myself down. And funnily enough, it seemed that I wasn't the only one picking up on their relationship.

"Ugh, everyone here is doing things with people." Orly sighed, before glancing at Teo. "You and I may as well just start dating."

I raised my eyebrow as Teo seemed to blush in response. "Y-yeah, I guess so." He laughed somewhat awkwardly, and suddenly I found myself a new couple to get together.

We spent the rest of the night talking and laughing, and I probably ate too many breadsticks, but that much was to be expected. I ended up driving Harbor and Bailey home as I usually did, and I finally arrived at Harbor's house last as they began to take their seatbelt off.

"See you on Monday." I smiled at them.

Harbor smiled as well, but hesitated to exit the car. "Actually before I go...Is there something going on with Ruby?"

I froze as they asked that, and for a moment I forgot how to respond.

"It's just cause you've seemed less chipper whenever the topic of Ruby comes up, and you also looked kinda sad when Teo brought her up tonight." They continued. "My bestie senses were tingling, but if I'm wrong then whatever."

I chuckled softly. "You know me too well, Harbor."

I finally told them about what Dylan had said, and how it affected me enough to avoid the two of them whenever Ruby came over.

"And now since I don't see her during those times I just never see her, and I dunno it feels weird." I groaned, and slid further into my chair. I heard Harbor sigh from beside me.

"Mel, I hate to say it, but you're too awkward for your own good." I looked over to see them shaking their head, and I swatted their arm.

"Shut up I know." I groaned, and they chuckled.
"But in all seriousness, I understand what you're going through, and that sucks." They said, and hearing them say that felt so surprisingly relieving. "Honestly I think you should really try to talk to Dylan about it. Tell him how you've been feeling weird and everything. Cause even though he likes her, your feelings are valid too. I don't think you should have to sacrifice something that could be great like that."

I nodded, before leaning over and giving them a hug. "Seriously thank you so much, you always know how to put my head on straight."

"That's what I'm here for, weirdo." They said, and hugged me back.

Afterwards Harbor got out and I drove home. As it was pretty late, my parents were relaxing in the living room. I quickly said 'hey' to them before heading to my room and getting ready for bed.

A little later, I hear a knock on my door. "Come in!" I call out.

Dylan opens my door, but remains in the doorway. "Ruby wanted me to tell you that she said hi when she came over today." He said.

"Okay." I nodded simply. When he didn't make any move to exit, I said, "Was that it?"

"Um..." He fiddled with the loose strings at the end of his sleeve. "From what she said, it seems like you guys have been hanging out less." He said. "And I guess I kind of felt bad. I'm sorry if what I said the other day made you guys stop talking as much. That was kind of selfish of me." Then Dylan looked up to meet my eyes. "Don't hold back for me. You should ask her out, I think she'll say yes."

I sat on my bed, stunned. I didn't even have to say anything, Dylan came to me on his own, and he was even giving me the okay to ask out Ruby.

"Thanks, Dyl...As long as you're okay with it." I gave him a questioning smile, and he nodded.

"I'll be fine. It was a superficial crush anyway." He shrugged before leaving, closing the door behind him before I could ask any further questions.

I sat there for a moment after he left, before I finally laid back in bed. Dylan said it was okay, there was nothing holding me back. I could ask out Ruby.